Sample Worksheet - Intellectual Property

Person Temp joined Company A and started working on a software product. As a part of his assignments, he developed a unique data structure and associated algorithms which significantly enhanced the performance of the main product of the company. After two years, Temp left Company A to join Company B which is a competitor of Company A. Within a year, Company B markets a product with similar data structures and algorithmic architecture as that of Company A.

1. Do you think there is a possibility of an UN-ethical conduct involved in this scenario?
2. What are the options available to Company A?
3. What questions would you ask that would change your response to the first item above?
4. Would it be okay for Temp to use the data structure and algorithm (that he developed for Company A) in a product for a non-competing company?